MEET THE STAFF
Editor in Chief: Nadia Warren
Copy Editor: Annemarie Wilhite
News Editor: Brooklyn Collins
Feature Editor: Kessa Adee
Opinion Editor: Aubree Sims
Sports Editor: Bryce Ruder
Website Manager: Sophie Webb
Social Media Coordinator: Nyah Warren
Business/Advertisement Manager: Evelyn Nelson
Social Commissioner: Erin Hardy
Reporters: Braxton Liebert, Caroline Trotman, Kendall
Moore, Madeline Swenson, Reagan Smith
FROM THE EDITOR
Four years ago, I enrolled myself in Journalism I because of my love for writing, but I never would have imagined
it’d lead to the position of Editor in Chief. In all honesty, my freshman self would have probably avoided the class altogether If I knew where it’d take me. However, I cannot be more thankful that I did, as taking on this role has pushed me out of my comfort zone in ways I never thought were possible; I now stand in front of a class every day, work with a wide range of creative and talented students, and assume responsibility for the production of our school’s magazine. Taking on this role is such an honor and I am so grateful for all the opportunities it’s given me.
The first issue has been a huge learning process for me. It’s taught me how to lead and articulate my thoughts to a group, how to manage and be flexible with deadlines, how to rely on others for help when I need it, and so much more. I want to thank my advisor, Mrs. Orman, for inspiring me to take risks and seeing the leader in me I never knew was there. I also want to thank my staff as they have put so much work into writing and editing every story and it’s been amazing to watch it all come together. We have a variety of hard-hitting news pieces, engaging feature pieces, thought-provoking opinion pieces, and sports pieces with all of the above. I cannot wait for the student body to receive this issue and I hope everybody can find a story in here that they connect with.
the prairie PANEL
THE PANEL:
BRYCE RUDER
What are you going as this Halloween?
Scariest horror movie you’ve seen?
Thoughts on candy corn?
Best show/movie to watch during fall?
MADELINE SWENSON
SOPHIE WEBB KENDALL MOORE
“Glinda from ‘Wicked.’” “Nothing.” “Catwoman.”
“I don’t watch horror movies.” “‘Chucky.’”
“The bride from ‘The Crow.’”
“It’s okay.” “Oh, I hate it.”
“‘The Big Bang Theory’ Halloween episodes.”
“‘The Nightmare Before Christmas.’”
“‘Talk to Me.’”
“‘Paranormal Activity.’”
“Personally, I think it’s mid.” “It makes a good snack.”
“‘Texas Chainsaw Massacre’ or ‘Hocus Pocus.’”
“‘Hocus Pocus’ or ‘Halloweentown.’”
NEWS FEATURE OPINION SPORTS
The Incentive Battle
Coming to school means money for the district and privileges for you.
BY BROOKLYN COLLINS
Attendance policies are changing, and they impact every student. We have incentives for school dances,
final exam exemption, parking spots, and more.
An attendance incentive is a tool that encourages students to attend school more often. To be able to take part in activities like dances, students must come to school and earn a high attendance percentage.
A major reason these incentives are coming into place is due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Coming out of COVID-19, attendance took a huge hit,” Principal Dr. Bill Powers said.
In 2021, the attendance policies were not as strict, because if a student had COVID-19, the district would not count it against the student’s attendance. Therefore, the average
Attendance is important for both you and the district. Showing up late is better than not attending at all. The more you are in school, the higher your attendance.
in 2021 was 95 percent.
The next year, 2022, the average attendance dropped to 91 percent, mostly because students were still getting sick but the district started to count COVID-19 against students’ attendance.
According to the Director of Family Services, Dr. Ron Woodard, the district is hoping to reach a 93 percent or higher attendance rate this school year. At our school, Powers is hoping to reach a higher attendance goal.
One of the main reasons attendance is important is not only for the students’ educational growth, but also for the funding of the district. Every year, Springfield Public Schools receives about $88 per student seated in class.
The school takes the money they get from students’ attendance and uses it to purchase new equipment
such as furniture, curriculum (lessons teachers use to teach their classes), and classroom supplies.
“Last year, in the fourth quarter, we were doing weekly incentives. We had Taco Bell and Little Caesars coupons. We also had ice cream sandwiches. We can’t do something every week, because all of our coupons are donated to us,” Powers said.
He went on to say that administrators are still brainstorming new incentive ideas for the current school year.
According to Powers, we are not the only high school in the district to do incentives. The other high schools do the same incentives we do.
For example, without a 90 percent attendance, students will not be approved to go to the school dances.
Navigating Change
A students’ guide to understanding the latest rules and regulations.
BY NYAH WARREN, SOPHIE WEBB, & BRYCE RUDER
SmartPass has been implemented throughout all Springfield Public Schools, but what exactly
does
SmartPass do and has it been helping keep students in assigned areas?
SmartPass is the new way of leaving the classroom. Instead of writing a green paper pass, the student must go on their chromebook to fill out a pass. This pass will either be accepted, allowing the student to leave the room, or declined. Passes only decline when there are more than 30 people out of all classrooms in the building.
Most administrators seem to be liking this new system, yet students have mixed feelings. Glendale junior Marley White’s opinion remains neutral, but that is not common among students.
“This is Glendale’s first year using SmartPass. I think it’s a little confusing starting out, but as we go through the year, I think it will keep people in class more and stop them from skipping. SmartPass definitely isn’t my favorite, but I think it has really improved the environment during class time,” White said.
White admits that although she doesn’t support SmartPass like other students, she does agree that it is improving the school’s environment.
“I personally don’t like SmartPass. I feel like it takes away students’ freedom and limits our right of using the restroom when we would like. SmartPasses put students in an uncomfortable situation where they may have to talk to their teacher about why they were a minute or two late coming back from the restroom which I feel like is an invasion of privacy while also being completely unnecessary,” Parkview junior Haili Portner said.
Portner’s opinion on SmartPass opens up a new perspective on students’ personal business and needs.
“Teachers are made aware of 504 plans and honor them. If a student who has a medical need needed to leave the classroom at any time when SmartPass wasn’t allowing them to, they are able to,” Assistant Principal
Leslie Helfrect said.
Students with specific medical conditions are able to leave their room when needed with no questions asked. If a student were to have an emergency and SmartPass was declining their pass, a teacher should still allow them to go. With a new system, some navigating and learning curves will be needed. However, this system has helped reduce the class time missed by students and being able to pinpoint where someone is at a certain time, making our schools safer.
Even with SmartPass limiting students’ bathroom usage and time outside of class, administrators still believe there needs to be a ‘no travel list.’ Last school year, the administrators created this system for students that was sent out to make teachers aware of certain students that weren’t allowed outside of their classroom.
A student gets added to the list when they have at least one referral for being out of their assigned area. Administrators are able to block students from leaving their class on SmartPass and add that student to the ‘no travel list.’ Every time a student gets added, the updated list gets sent out to teachers, and parents are made aware of their child being on the list.
“When we call a parent to inform them that their student is on the list, it’s usually no surprise if they’ve been called before for similar reasons. If a parent does object to their student being on the list, we always try to find a compromise,” Helfrect said.
When a student is out past the seven minute window, the pass goes into overtime, the pass officially ends at 17 minutes and alerts admin.
“Normally when students get a referral, it’s because it’s not the first time they’ve been out past the 17 minutes when the pass ends. Teachers mostly give students the benefit of the doubt the first or second time it happens,” Helfrect said.
Once a student is on the list, time outside of the classroom is restricted, but it doesn’t fully prohibit them from going to the bathroom, nurse, or office
if it is an emergency.
Students with IEPs or 504 plans are excluded from the list depending on their accommodations within their plan.
“Teachers can always create a pass for the student and if they are really concerned, they can call the office and have an admin escort them wherever they need to go,” Helfrect said.
The administrators think the idea of the ‘no travel list’ needs to be conveyed now because students are already abusing the amount of time given on their passes. Some are even leaving class every block.
“SmartPass already limits the students so much and they are still abusing the time limits they’re given, so that is why we have to bring back the ‘no travel list,’” Helfrect said.
This year, there has been a new phone policy that has a bit of a different structure than past years. The new system is called the “go phone zone/no phone zone system.”
According to Principal Dr. Bill Powers, teachers this year are allowed to choose when phones need to be put away and when students are allowed to use them.
“Teachers have shared that when they teach, they like to have the option to tell kids to put phones away or once teachers are done teaching, let kids use their phones,” Powers said.
While other schools across the area have more strict phone policies, such as phone cubbies and phone jails, admin believes this new system is the best way to handle phones and that no new changes are imminent.
“At this point, I don’t see us making any changes to it,” Powers said.
Although right now the new set of rules and regulations may seem daunting and unfair to the student body, throughout the year students and staff will adapt to these changes. This will ultimately make our school environment safer.
According to Ballard Brief, BYU’s business research publication, the average woman spends roughly $6,000 a year on period products.
Toxic Tampons
A recent study found toxic metals in many leading brand tampons.
BY CAROLINE TROTMAN
In a poll conducted by the National Consumer Survey, 34.1 million women worldwide use tampons. Researchers at the
University of California Berkeley researchers found various metals and toxins in leading tampon brands. The study showed traces of toxic chemicals and metals in popular tampon brands in the U.S.
Tampons have always had some degree of risk due to their association with Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS).
According to the Mayo Clinic, TSS is a rare complication of certain types of bacterial infections. TSS is caused by staphylococcus which is a group of bacteria. Anyone can be affected by TSS, not just women who use tampons.
Chemicals and metals can pass through air, water, and soil. When tampons go through the manufacturing process, the materials used to make them, a blend of cotton and rayon, can easily absorb certain
chemicals.
According to The National Public Radio, some metals are often added intentionally to eliminate odor or act as an antibacterial agent.
Arsenic, cobalt, nickel, lead, and vanadium are just a few metals found in the Berkley study.
“Some tampons had higher concentrations of one metal and lower concentrations of another,” Jenni Shersteron, one of the lead researchers on the study, said.
Shersteron noted that menstruation is not talked about enough which has caused little scientific research to be done.
The Berkeley study noted that certain metals have been found to increase the risk of dementia, infertility, diabetes, and cancer, so what does this mean for women’s health?
“The question that first needs to be asked is: is it actually a problem? Just because something is there doesn’t
mean that it’s causing any harm. On the flip side, we don’t know that it is not causing harm either. A lot of these metals we need in small amounts, like zinc and magnesium,” Dr. Courtney Wiese, a gynecologist at Cox Health in Springfield, said.
Because tampons are in direct contact with the vagina, a semipermeable membrane, it can block contaminants.
“Researchers are unsure how much is absorbed and that is something we need to know,” said Wiese.
Wiese also noted that we come into contact with metals every day, whether it be in clothes, makeup, skin products, or even the food we eat.
She says that this study and future research will open up the conversation about how much exposure to metals is safe and how much of the chemicals are absorbed by the vagina.
Wiese believes that women should not stop using tampons, as we don’t know if they even pose a threat to women’s health yet.
“I think the idea of exposure to the metals being linked to overall health is very important. It kind of all trickles back to how we take care of our land and produce and the importance of safe farming techniques.” Wiese said.
As of now, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate testing for tampons as they are categorized under ‘Medical Devices.’ However, the FDA requires that all tampons do not contain pesticide residue.
“I think it’s more of a reality check for the consumers and the public at large that most products you’re using do not go through rigorous testing for safety, and most products do have chemicals in there somewhere,” Dr. Nathaniel De Nicola, environmental expert for the College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists, said.
For now, tampons do not appear to pose any threat to women’s health. Women should not be scared about what this study has shown, but keep the conversation open so more research can be done in the future.
BY KENDALL MOORE
Students have long since wondered, “Why doesn’t high school teach me anything useful?” That frequently
asked question can finally be laid to rest. Family and Consumer Science teacher Becky Bones, is teaching a new Life 101 class that educates students on how to live in a world outside of high school.
A class like this has not been implemented in schools due to the lack of resources, training, and time constraints. However, our school has overcome these obstacles. The idea to implement classes with life skills in Springfield Public Schools came about two years ago.
In Life 101 there are five units, the class is a quarter long, and it will be worth a half credit.
The first unit will cover Leadership and Communication skills, which will educate students on how to fall into a leading adult role now and when they graduate.
This is followed by Nutrition and Culinary which will include kitchen safety and how to continue a healthy lifestyle. Students will then learn Fashion Design which explores the elements of fashion and even teach students how to do laundry.
The next unit, Interior Design, will explore the design process within homes.
Finally, the fifth unit being taught is Child and Human Development, and this will explain how students will grow as people throughout their high school years and how young children grow.
Students taking this course could also look into joining Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America, also known as FCCLA, which is the club aligned with this course.
“Mostly freshmen are in these classes but there is always a mix. I even have a few seniors,” Bones said.
All grades are welcome to take this class if they feel it suits them.
“We will be doing a few hands-on activities, some projects and things like that, and of course students will
Learning Life
Many life skills that are essential to post high school life are now in the curriculum for a new class.
A live look into the classroom setting and environment.
be expected to take notes on certain things,” Bones said.
If you are interested in learning how to truly live your life in a successful way outside of high school, this is your opportunity to learn with Mrs. Bones in room 105.
“I’m excited for this year’s classes because everyone needs life skills and students get to try a variety of things,” Bones said.
Students’ current assignment on Health Conditions and foods you should avoid.
“I want to encourage students to take the class or join other FACS classes because the course is growing and more and more people are becoming aware of these life skills classes,” Bones said.
NCounselors are excellent resources to connect with when you’re in a dark place.
Mental Health Matters
Suicide rates and mental health issues are more prevalent in Springfield and around the world. However, support is available for students and citizens.
The prevalence of suicide has increased drastically since the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the American
Foundation for Suicide Prevention, suicide is currently the 11th leading cause of death in the United States.
While national and state suicide rates are already high, Springfield’s rate is approximately 60 percent higher than the national rate according to the Ozarks Health Commission. Additionally, the rate of depression in Springfield is significantly above the national average, with 24.1 percent of the population affected.
However, having strong community connections, access to mental health resources, and healthcare can reduce suicidal thoughts and help prevent
those in crisis from resorting to permanent solutions for temporary problems.
Springfield provides a variety of resources for individuals facing mental health issues, with the Burrell Behavioral Health Center and suicide hotline being two of the most accessible options in the area.
In a recent KSMU Ozarks local radio interview, the Southwest director of Crisis Services at Burrell reported that the number of people reaching out for help via the 988 hotline has doubled this year.
Burrell provides certified peer specialists who can help locate local resources and offer long-term support. These specialists are trained in crisis intervention and are available to offer a sense of understanding
BY ANNEMARIE WILHITE
and relatability to those who have experienced similar challenges.
Suicide is particularly crucial for high schools to address, as it is the third leading cause of death among adolescents ages 15-19 according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Our school also offers plenty of resources for those struggling, including a teen mental health course taught by counselors for all high school students.
“We began offering the course before COVID-19. The program initiated in Australia and the United States got wind of it, so they piloted it here and Kickapoo was one of the pilot schools,” counselor Lorrie Miller said.
The program turned out to be highly successful and has remained at the school.
“We feel like it is a very worthwhile program and I would say the biggest gain from it is that people are aware of mental health so they feel more comfortable coming to counselors for help. You may benefit from the knowledge that you gain from the class, but it’s really designed so that you can help your peers. It helps students recognize when they’re concerned about a peer and they’re able to go to a trusted adult,” Miller said.
In addition to a mental health class, we have on-site therapists who serve as valuable resources.
“We have Burrell counselors that are commissioned through the district and they’re called school-based clinicians. If a student can’t go to an outside source, a counselor can do a referral for a school-based clinician visit. These are licensed professional counselors who work directly with students,” Miller said.
If you’re struggling with thoughts of ending your life, please know that there are numerous resources available to support you, and you don’t have to face this alone. Reach out by calling or texting the Suicide Prevention Hotline 988 for immediate help.
District FEMA Shelters
Horace Mann Elementary recently had a new FEMA shelter built, but how safe is our shelter in comparison?
BY REAGAN SMITH & KENDALL MOORE
Horace Mann Elementary finished construction on its new Federal Emergency Management Agency
(FEMA) shelter. FEMA shelters and other storm shelters are not only for students but also for the public during weather emergencies outside of school hours.
A concern being voiced around the school is the glass hallway leading to our storm shelter, the Performing Arts Center.
“The windows in the hallway towards the PAC have a safety film that was placed on all of the lower level windows, this safety film has been installed in every SPS school,” Principal Dr. Bill Powers said.
Students and staff may also be wondering where to go if a weather emergency were to occur outside of school hours.
The protective film placed on the windows on the way to the FEMA shelter is shatter resistant, not shatter proof. Under high amounts of pressure, they could still break.
“The PAC has been Kickapoo’s designated storm shelter since it was open,” Powers said.
Our storm shelter is able to withstand around 200 mile per hour winds. FEMA shelters have multiple uses other than only for storm shelters. Horace Mann is currently using their new FEMA shelter as a gymnasium and assembly room, giving the students a space for many uses other than its intended use of a storm shelter.
The latest storm drill took roughly fifteen minutes for all students to be filed into the shelter and settled.
“Usually we get enough of a warning so we can get everyone in there before anything terrible were to happen, and in the event of something real, people are going to move much faster. If something would occur like that, we could go to the old school
way of doing things and have people file into locker rooms and bathrooms,” Powers said.
According to Courtney Ellis, principal of Horace Mann, this shelter was much needed for their 400 plus students. Now with a big space for sports, these students can do twice as many things as they were able to do before.
The use of storm shelters is recommended for people who live within a half mile radius of a building.
Within our schools’ feeder pattern, there are two schools that have storm shelters: Horace Mann Elementary and Jeffries Elementary.
Our school also has a safe FEMA shelter, but if you live within the 65807 zip code, both the Jeffries and Horace Mann shelters would be available to use.
NHow to Register to Vote
When you turn 18, you receive the privilege to partake in one of the most American practices: voting. To do that, you have to get registered.
BY KESSA ADEE
Junior Kacey Van Amber filling out the voting registration form provided in the main office.
Turning 18 comes with many new adult responsibilities and liberties. You can buy lottery tickets, get tattoos, and most
importantly, vote. With the upcoming election, this is something that is on everybody’s mind.
Getting registered is the first step of the voting process that begins at the age of 17 ½. Karen Davis, our Principal’s Secretary, is available to help any interested students between the hours of 8:30 to 2:30 in the main office.
“I have all of the paperwork here in the office,” Davis said.
When getting registered, you will need to provide your driver’s license as proof of identification. After filling
out the short form with the required information, you will give it back to Davis for her to send in.
Voting is an important practice that all eligible citizens should partake in. Your vote could be the difference between what propositions, bills and laws get passed as well as whether or not someone is elected.
“As a citizen of the United States, it is important to vote. Especially as women, there are a lot of countries where we are not able to vote, so that’s why I would encourage everyone to vote. You have one vote and your vote is very important,” Davis said.
Although your birthday may not make it in time for the presidential
election in November, it’s never too late to get registered and vote in the upcoming 2025 local elections. It’s just as important to vote in local elections, because students in our community will be directly affected by your vote.
No matter who you are or what your views are, when you turn 17 ½, head down to the main office and speak to Ms. Davis about becoming registered to vote. It’s a quick 10 minute process that can have a lasting impact on the United States, as well as your local area.
Privacy: How Far Does It Go?
School officials have the right to look through students’ personal property with a reasonable cause.
When students step onto school campus, our personal property is subject to search if deemed
necessary.
This means phones, student-owned laptops, backpacks, lunch boxes, and anything not belonging to the school district. For example, the Chromebook in your backpack is district property, and therefore school officials can search it without your permission, but a phone needs consent from school officials to be searched.
The grounds for searching personal property are the same at school and outside of school grounds. In order for your belongings to be subject to a search, there must first be a reason.
School administrators can ask to search your personal property using what’s called reasonable suspicion.
According to the United States Supreme Court, reasonable suspicion is “the sort of common-sense conclusion about human behavior upon which practical people are entitled to rely.”
This means that if school
administrators are suspicious that you are in possession of prohibited items based on what they hear, smell, or see, they can ask to look through your private property.
If school officials receive multiple reports of a school rule or law being broken, then that is deemed enough for school authorities to ask to search your bag under reasonable suspicion. For example, multiple of the same accusations on the district tip line.
“Reasonable suspicion [means that] we have to have some reason that something is going on,” Assistant Principal Stephanie House said.
If a school official has reasonable suspicion that a student is in possession of an illegal object or substance, then they can ask to search your bag.
If a school police officer witnesses a student commit a crime or sees them with something illegal, the officer can search your personal property even without your consent. This is called probable cause. Probable cause also means ‘more likely than not,’ meaning it is more likely that the student
BY MADELINE SWENSON
committed the crime than the student did not.
For example, if a police officer sees a student shove a vape pen in their bag, the officer does not have to ask for consent to search that student’s bag because they saw them in possession of the vape.
“If I witnessed something in front of me that gave me probable cause and I was acting [as a police officer] I wouldn’t have to ask for consent,” school police officer Dennis Goss said.
School police do not use reasonable suspicion, while administrators do.
“Reasonable suspicion does not give law enforcement the right to search,” Goss said.
Nothing in the law says that school police have to tell a student why their property is being looked through. However, Goss said that he would usually tell the student why their property is being searched, unless there is a reason that could put other people in immediate danger.
“The only real exception why I probably wouldn’t is if there was some existential circumstance, like if we don’t get that bag right now for whatever reason, somebody might get hurt or something along those lines. Then I may not tell them why I am searching their bag,” Goss said.
If a student is a minor and has possession of something that could harm others and they do not consent to be searched, then police can call the student’s parents and ask them if they can look through the property.
Additionally, if the student still refuses to let their bag be searched, then the officer will call the parents to come and get their student from school.
“We may call the parents and ask [them]. The parents can make that decision as well,” Goss said.
School
administrators use reasonable suspicion, while school police officers use probable cause to search property.
Ultimately, the job of the school police and administration is to keep the school environment safe, so everyone can learn without distractions or fear.
In the past, students have used the anonymous district tip line to alert school officials of suspicious activity or anything that would put students in danger. If you ever need to use the tip line, text or call 417-319-2901 to reach school officials for help.
Framed By Coop
The average age of photographers in the US is 40 plus, but freshman Cooper Harris is shooting professional photos at 14 years old.
BY REAGAN SMITH
Freshman Cooper Harris takes commissions for his work, photographing athletes at school events, college games,
and Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) events.
Harris got his start in photography by making short films around his house until he was gifted a camera for his birthday. He started out with a Canon 4000 D and recommends others who are interested in photography to start with a simple camera like he did.
“Don’t go for a very expensive camera. I would start out with a Canon or another good starter camera and make sure you know your settings and what you want to do before you upgrade to another more expensive camera like a Sony,” Harris said.
Harris picked up photography because he looked up to one of his close friends who was a photographer, inspiring him to begin taking photos. Harris has since improved his skills and learned ways to improve his abilities.
Harris’ parents and his brother are his main supporters, along with other family member who drive him to and from games and events where he shoots photos. He started photography around two years ago in May of 2022.
Harris makes money from his work, normally having three to four players who he takes photos for at each game he goes to. His pricing is normally $20 per game or $60 for a season pass. Harris shoots many sports, but his favorite to photograph is football.
“There is a lot of action on defense and offense, or just a play, and I get to take a photo of every single play that happens,” Harris said.
Harris has improved his skills over time, learning how to edit photos and where the best spots are to take photos.
“I’ve definitely improved on knowing where the best shots are and just my settings overall. Adobe Lightroom is one of the best apps I have right now,” Harris said.
The thing Harris likes the most about doing photography is the people. Harris loves it when others ask for photos and use the shots he’s taken of them at games for social media posts, and he knows that it is his work that they are displaying.
“I like when people use my photos for profile pictures and repost them,
and just having that feeling of like, those are my photos, that’s my work,” Harris said.
Harris has already started to plan for the future. He hopes to get noticed by more colleges and film or take photos for the National Football League (NFL) or Major League Baseball (MLB), planning to continue with photography into the foreseeable future.
“I’m already getting noticed by MSU and starting an internship there, and I’m just hoping to get noticed by more colleges, and do that for a little bit, and then move on to the NFL or MLB and film for them,” Harris said.
Cooper Harris taking photos on the sideline for players. Photo courtesy of @Vaughtography on Instagram.
FTouchy Subjects: Halloween
With the spooky season rolling in around the corner, students share their opinions
on some debatable topics.
BY SOPHIE WEBB
Are the “SCREAM” movies good, scary movies?
“They’re alright. There’s nothing too special about them.”
Is “The Nightmare Before Christmas” a Christmas movie or a Halloween movie?
“It’s a Christmas movie. It’s in the name.”
Is “The Nightmare Before Christmas” a Christmas movie or a Halloween movie?
“It’s a Christmas movie. There just happens to be a skeleton in Christmas.”
Do you believe in ghosts?
“No. When people die, they won’t waste their time messing with other people.”
What are your thoughts on pumpkin spice?
“My favorite. It’s the best, especially in Starbucks drinks.”
Are the “SCREAM” movies good, scary movies?
“Yeah, they are scary! I get jump scared by them every time.”
Do you believe in ghosts?
“Yes. I believe that something happens with our soul after we die.”
What are your thoughts on pumpkin spice?
“I just tried it for the first time and I love it. It was amazing.”
Jaxon Hill (11)
Evan Kufahl (9)
Emma McCabe (10)
Julia Kożuch (12)
Drinks to Fall For
That warm and cozy season is finally here, and pumpkins and apples are all the rage. Let’s use these signature flavors to create a delicious drink that will satisfy the taste buds.
BY BROOKLYN COLLINS
A creamy and delicious pumpkin chai with extra cinnamon to send you into bliss.
The rich flavor of red apples and brown sugar combined to form a mouth-watering fall drink.
Iced Pumpkin Cream Chai
If you love the rich taste of pumpkin and not so much the taste of coffee, then this drink is for you. It’s a perfect combination of sweet and silky.
Ingredients:
Heavy cream, vanilla syrup, pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spice, vanilla extract, chai tea concentrate, milk, ice and a frother.
In a small bowl, combine one to two scoops of pumpkin puree, ¼ cup of milk, ¼ cup of heavy whipping cream, and add just a bit of vanilla syrup. Make sure to sprinkle pumpkin pie spice into the mix before frothing the cold foam.
Fill a glass with ice and pour your chai tea concentrate halfway to the top. Pour in ¼ cup of milk and another splash of vanilla. Add some caramel drizzle if you’d like! Top with the cold foam and some more of the pumpkin pie spice.
Apple
Crisp Coffee
Apples are juicy and crisp and this drink perfectly represents that!
Ingredients:
Apple brown sugar syrup, milk, cinnamon coffee grounds, ground cinnamon, apples, and cinnamon sticks.
For the syrup, boil just enough water to fill the bottom of your pot. Afterward, cut apples into the pot, and let sit for 15 minutes to soften. Add ¼ cup brown sugar, a pinch of cinnamon, and a little caramel syrup. Let sit for 45 minutes to an hour depending on how strong you want your syrup’s flavor. In your glass, add caramel to the bottom, then fill to the top with ice. Brew the cinnamon coffee grounds, then pour the liquid until half of your cup is filled. Measure out ¼ cup of milk, and add to the glass.
Take the apples out of the syrup and then pour the syrup into your glass until filled. Add a sprinkle of cinnamon on top and enjoy!
AFCelebration at the Stroll Garden
s the days get cooler and we start to feel the autumn breeze, many fall festivals and celebrations pop up
around Springfield. One of the first fests to get us into the fall spirit is the Japanese Fall Festival, located at Mizumoto Stroll Garden.
Just behind Nathaniel Greene Park is a beautiful stroll garden perfect for a date, a dog walk, or just a quiet place to sit and think. Come the start of the fall season however, it’s full of music, food, and fun. Vendors and groups from all over the Ozarks and even out of state all flock to the garden to take part in the celebration.
Of all the Japanese gardening practices, the art of bonsai is one of the most widely known. Bonsai is the skill of carefully curating trees to grow in beautiful and intricate ways, while still staying small enough to fit in a flower pot.
The level of detail that goes into keeping these trees healthy is impressive.
Many members of Tatsumaki are either directly from Japan, or have close Japanese heritage.
The Ozarks Bonsai society attends the festival annually, showcasing their work and dedication to Springfield.
“When these trees have been growing in the wild, they’ve gotten used to growing in that certain type of soil. You have to make sure that
Despite being the size of a house plant, this tree is over 100 years old.
you keep that composition the same or else the tree might not grow right,” Kurt Dillow, President of the Ozarks Bonsai Society said.
Because bonsai trees are still real trees, they can have surprisingly long lifespans.
“I took this [tree] from a cliffside in Arkansas and it was growing in about one-tenth of the soil that it has here now and it was really just a little poof of needles,” Dillow said.
The Ozarks Bonsai Society is free to join. They host field trips, workshops, and private classes and can be contacted through their Facebook group.
The sounds of the celebration are an other important aspect that goes into making this festival an event to remember. The music from the festival’s main stage can be heard throughout the entire garden. The energetic movements and powerful voices of the Yosakoi dance group Tatsumaki always draws in a crowd each year they perform at the festival.
“So, we are not from Springfield. We’re actually from Kansas, and that’s where our name comes from.
As the fall season begins, Springfield once again comes together to celebrate the season and cultures around the world.
BY BRAXTON LIEBERT
What’s something that Kansas has a lot of? Tatsumaki means tornado,” Naho, a longtime dancer with the group, said.
Yosakoi is a traditional form of dance that originated in Kochi, Japan. It combines elements of Japanese folk with modern music and movements from around the world.
The energy and dedication of these dancers is just as impressive as their costumes and passion for the art.
Cosplay is an important part of this festival. Friday evenings, the entree fee is discounted if you arrive in costume. Springfield Cosplay is a group that takes this hobby to the next level.
Tori Klinger is a long time cosplayer who serves on the group’s council to help organize events.
“I love cosplay because it lets me get out of the house and make friends that have the same interests as me. A big part of being on the council is being on the backside of hosting events and being able to provide a safe space for people to
come together and be themselves,” Klinger said.
Springfield cosplay has members from all over the city, and they attend events all throughout the year.
“This is our event for fall. During the winter we walk in the parade downtown, during the spring we have a stand at the Cherry Blossom
The chilly fall air and slow breeze made for a perfect atmosphere to kick off the fall.
Festival, and during the summer we host our own event called Matsu market,” Klinger said.
These cosplayers always bring the color and the kindness to anyone that needs it.
With the beautiful scenery, and fun fall vibes, this festival is a tradition to return to each year.
This is Springfield Cosplay’s 10th year attending the festival.
FGet in Losers
BY KESSA ADEE
What role do you have in the musical?
“Regina George.”
What’s your favorite thing about this musical or your favorite scene?
“I like the ‘Meet the Plastics’ scene just because it’s so dramatic and it’s when everyone first sees us. I think it’s really fun to do.”
Is this your first time acting in a musical?
“No, it’s not my first time.”
Why should people come see the musical?
“It’s a more known show. Most people actually know what ‘Mean Girls’ is. I think people should come watch it to see what they think it’s going to be like compared to what it’s actually going to be. There’s also so many fun things happening. Come support the fine arts!”
Why did you audition and want to be part of this show?
“I get to sing and act with all of my friends. It’s really fun.”
What role do you have in the musical?
“Karen Smith.”
What’s your favorite thing about this musical or your favorite scene?
“I like ‘Sexy’ because it’s Karen’s song and she’s talking about dressing up for Halloween. It’s super fun to act and dance to.”
Is this your first time acting in a musical?
“No, I’ve been acting in musicals since I was in sixth grade.”
Why should people come see the musical?
“People should come see the musical because it’s going to be amazing. The cast is great. Everyone is so talented and is working so hard. It’s ‘Mean Girls,’ so it’s going to be funny. I feel like people aren’t going to be expecting some of the things that are going to happen or be said, so I think it’ll be really fun for people to come see.”
Why did you audition and want to be part of this show?
“For me, the question was how could I not? It’s ‘Mean Girls,’ that’s a dream show for some people. I love Karen and I’m so glad I got her role because I feel like I relate to her. It’s also my senior show so I wanted to go out with a bang.”
Alivia Crawford, 12
Sloan Roberts, 12
Meet “The Plastics” and other favorites in the cast of the upcoming fall musical, “Mean Girls.”
Cadence Cowan, 12
What role do you have in the musical?
“I’m in the ensemble.”
What’s your favorite thing about the musical or your favorite scene?
“I don’t have a specific favorite yet, because ensemble is in a lot of different scenes. I’m just really excited for all of them.”
Is this your first time acting in a musical?
“It’s not my first acting role but it’s my first musical.”
Why should people come see the musical?
“It’s a really fun show. I think people will really enjoy it.”
Why did you audition and want to be part of this show?
“It’s my senior year and I really wanted to try it out and audition for the musical because why not?”
What role do you have in the musical?
“I play Janis Ian.”
What’s your favorite thing about this musical or your favorite scene?
“I really love the music in this show. I love that it’s relevant, people are going to come see it because it’s ‘Mean Girls.’ My favorite song in the show is ‘I’d Rather Be Me.’”
Is this your first time acting in a musical?
“No, I’ve done musicals all throughout high school.”
Why should people come see the musical?
“Because it’s really funny and you might learn some things. We’re working super hard on the show so it’s going to be really good. Plus, who doesn’t love ‘Mean Girls?’”
Why did you audition and want to be part of this show?
“I love theater. I’ve loved theater forever. It’s my senior year, so I decided to go big or go home this year and go for a lead.”
Ami Le, 12
FBest Dual Credit Classes
Taking a dual credit class can save you thousands of dollars on college tuition.
The college process weighs heavily on students’ minds. As students look at higher education and tuition, they
grasp the reality that college is not cheap. However, dual credit is a program that allows students to earn college credit while still attending high school. Our school alone offers over 100 dual credit and AP classes.
Dual credit classes have the same workflow and coursework as a college class. The only difference is the cost and class size. A dual credit class here will be much cheaper than the same class at Missouri State University (MSU) or Drury University. A high school dual credits class’s learning environment will also be smaller than a college class’s.
Kickapoo U supervisor Melissa Sharpsteen stated that the most popular dual credit classes are ones that directly transfer into college, or a general education class. A general education class or ‘gen-ed’ is a
BY CAROLINE TROTMAN
class you must take to graduate. Most in-state, public colleges are accepting dual credit. In contrast, private colleges are a little trickier.
“Private schools are a little different in that they vary widely. Some will take dual credit, but only if it’s a certain kind of dual credit,” Sharpsteen said.
Some private colleges will only allow dual credit to transfer if a high school student took the college class seated at a college, not a high school.
Sharpsteen recommended that students look at equivalency guides. These guides will help students see what dual credit classes transfers to specific colleges. This will be extremely useful to students who know what they want to major in so they can see what gen-ed classes they need to get out of the way.
Common general education courses include English, Science, and Math classes to graduate college. Examples of dual credit classes offered here that
transfer as gen-eds include Introductory Speech, Grammar and Composition, Computer Applications, and any upper level math and science classes.
Dual credit courses can also fulfill pre-requisites within a student’s major. This allows students to take high-level courses for their major at an early time.
Counselor Shawn Wallace stated that taking dual credit can save students a lot of money on tuition.
A college course at MSU costs roughly $900 and a course at Mizzou costs $1,320, while dual credit classes at Kickapoo can cost anywhere from $70 to $250 per course.
Dual credit can save students thousands of dollars on their college tuition, whether that is by getting general education credits out of the way or knocking out classes in students’ majors. Dual Credit is a unique program that benefits many students in the long run.
Missouri State University and Drury University are among the schools that offer dual credit.
Quick Pick Me Up
Come By After School
RE-CHARGE
*after a long day in class
*after the game
*while studying late night (Drive-thru open til 10:00pm)
*or just hanging out during the week
South Glenstone
Imbalanced Incentives
Due to attendance incentives and policy changes, new rules may force sick students to come to school and compromise public health guidelines.
BY THE KHQ EDITORIAL STAFF
Attendance incentives were implemented at the beginning of the 2023-2024 school year, but they might be more
harmful than helpful for students. Students must maintain at least a 90 percent attendance rate to be eligible for participation in dances and to be exempt from finals. Additionally, as of this year, priority for choosing parking spots was given to students with higher attendance from the previous school year.
The attendance office clarified that doctor’s notes are not accepted to excuse absences. Although there was some flexibility during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, this policy has gradually changed over time. As a result, absences due to contagious diseases, like COVID-19, will be counted against students.
While this may reflect real-world scenarios to some degree, the attendance incentives push students to come to school even when sick to avoid their percentage decreasing and missing out on certain privileges. It may also discourage students from getting tested for prevalent illnesses like COVID-19 and the flu, as they might want to avoid the confirmation that would require them to miss school.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises that those with COVID-19 should wait until their symptoms have lessened or disappeared before starting their five-day isolation period. While some people may see their symptoms improve within a few days, others could experience prolonged symptoms, requiring an extended quarantine before they are no longer contagious.
Following the CDC’s
Attending school while sick can lead to the rapid spread of contagious illnesses.
recommendations may require students to miss anywhere from a few days to several weeks to prevent spreading illness to others. However, the attendance incentives do not accommodate such extended absences, often resulting in students missing out on various opportunities.
Doctor’s notes should be accepted to excuse illness. However, it is unreasonable to expect students to visit a doctor every time they get sick, as medical bills can be financially straining and not feasible for all families.
Although some students might take advantage of the system, we believe that students should not be penalized for adhering to proper quarantine
guidelines. Instead, students should be allowed at least two excused sick absences per semester without requiring a doctor’s note. The school should also begin accepting doctor’s notes as a valid excuse for absences to prevent students from coming to school while sick.
While we do not believe the attendance incentive system is inherently flawed, it does need a bit of reform. Since our district’s funding relies heavily on attendance, it’s crucial to maintain high attendance rates. However, it’s equally important to listen to your body and not ignore illness just to preserve high attendance scores to attend a dance or park.
Likes Over Love
Couples in this generation tend to resort to their devices rather than talking face to face.
Social media is teens’ number one conflict in keeping a relationship healthy in high school.
BY AUBREE SIMS
Instagram and Snapchat are a big part of everyday life for almost all teens. These apps are used for multiple different forms of
entertainment. I use them for constant communication with my friends by sending TikToks, Instagram reels, sending snaps or photos of what I’m doing, or just texting. However, the cons of these apps outweigh the pros.
Social media destroys relationships. Many breakup stories usually involve a boyfriend or girlfriend that was cheating with the help of these apps. Whether they’re not responding, being vague in responses, or being active on an app but not responding to their partner.
When issues like these arise in a relationship, communication that may have once been there often stops. Many teens find themselves resorting to an app trying to find advice on what to say or do.
For example, I have had TikToks come up on my feed telling me that if my boyfriend says to me “ur hot” instead of “you’re beautiful,” that he doesn’t actually like me, and that he’s only into my appearance.
Another example of a video I have often seen is a TikTok titled “How to know if your boyfriend is actually interested in you based on their answer to this question.” The video will then go on to give examples of what your boyfriend’s answer may be and will tell you what their response means.
Many teenagers believe this and actually take TikTok’s advice. Teens have become so susceptible to believing everything social media tells them that their touch of reality is often lost.
In the 90s to 2000s, high school relationships were more in person, and to me, seemed more meaningful.
Rather than their main form of communication being Snapchat or text, couples in the past were only able to talk through phone calls and see each other face to face.
I asked one of my close family friends about how she met her husband. She told me they met in high school and became inseparable through the good, the bad, the worst, and the even worse than that. I asked her how she managed to do that, as I was in her situation. She told me if they didn’t talk in person or on a landline, there was no talking at all. She said that she would only see her boyfriend at school, and they would occasionally drop by each other’s houses.
Hearing this, I was in shock. As I was born in the Gen-z era, I am constantly attached to my phone. I keep up with everything my friends are doing, and I make plans with them via text or Snapchat. So, being 16 and a junior in high school, I was confused.
If one of my friends told me that their boyfriend randomly dropped by, my first thought would be “that boy is a stalker.” Social media has taught our generation that it is no longer normal to show up unannounced.
Over the summer, I had the same experience. Social media destroyed my long standing relationship. There were multiple issues towards the end and the loss of trust followed.
Unfortunately, Snapchat and Instagram make it easier to be more secretive with your significant other. Even if it is normal for your boyfriend or girlfriend to have the password to your phone, it’s still easy to hide certain apps from the other.
I can hide my Instagram DM’s with the click of a button. I can clear conversations from my Snapchat
account so they are hidden, as well as setting chats to the ‘delete immediately’ setting. I can also pause my location wherever I want to be even when I am not there at that moment.
Another way that social media can cause tension is by seeing a boyfriend or girlfriend liking another’s posts, commenting on them, and reposting them on stories. All of these scenarios could cause jealousy and conflicts throughout the relationship. The feeling of not being able to trust your significant other on social media can bring to surface multiple insecurities. In the society we are in today, these problems lead to trust issues and heartbreak.
While social media does have a lot of pros and shouldn’t have to be eliminated, teens need to learn to become more in touch with their significant other. If they do intend on a relationship lasting, learn to talk face to face and not discuss all issues through a glass box we all carry around.
We all need to grow to a maturity at some point and realize that once we are out of high school, our lives and relationships won’t revolve around social media, so let’s start practicing our real world experiences now.
Crammed hallways are out of our control, but it’s also nothing we can’t handle. Be mindful of your surroundings!
Navigating Chaos
During the passing period, we shouldn’t have to fight tooth and nail to get to our classrooms, so let’s assess some rules for the hallways that need to be talked about.
I’m sure we’ve all had those moments where we dread entering the hallways. I’ve always had something to
complain about when I sit down in my next class, whether it’s about slow walkers or people walking in the wrong direction.
With more than 2,000 kids attending our high school, passing periods in the hallways can be congested and hard to manage. While we can’t do anything about the amount of kids that go here, we can all attempt to safely manage the hallway traffic.
Here are some basic hallway rules for confused freshmen or upperclassmen who need reminders on how to be respectful while walking between classes.
First, the hallways are a lot like how traffic flows. You walk on the right side of the hallway, which makes two lines of people. Traveling on the
wrong side of the road is not good because it worsens traffic and causes crashes. Keeping all of that in mind, we should apply the same rules to the hallway.
If you need to get across the hallway or need to come out of your class, observe where you can get an opening and be as quick as possible while crossing. There’s no reason to just stand there and hold up traffic while waiting.
Intersections are tricky to get through, so the main thing to keep in mind is patience. Take in your surroundings and try to find an opportunity to get past. Usually, people will stagger and allow you to get through. People should already be doing this at the very least. It’s really circumstantial; all you need is to keep an eye on the traffic and see when people will let you in.
We don’t need to rush in the hallways, but that doesn’t mean we
BY ERIN HARDY
need to walk slow either. Slow walkers are incredibly frustrating, especially in a hallway where you can easily speed up. We should know how to keep our pace reasonable at this age. Next, try not to travel in large groups of people. I get that you like walking with your friends, but it only adds to the problem when there’s a group of seven kids blocking the hallway.
Speaking of blocking the hallways, people who stop in the middle of the hallway during passing period are confusing and aggravating. We don’t want to see you hugging your boyfriend or stopping to high five your friend. It blocks traffic and makes everyone go much slower, it can always just wait until after school. Now, let’s be mindful of electronics in the hallways. You don’t need to be on your Chromebook during the active passing period. I think you can wait the two to five minutes it takes to get between classes to be on your computer again. Phones aren’t as much of an issue as laptops or Chromebooks are, but they’re still a distraction. Just be sure to look up every now and then to see where you’re going so you don’t run into anyone.
Kindness is another big thing to take into consideration. When you’re in passing period, accidents are inevitable. If you bump into someone, give a small smile and an apology or don’t say anything at all. There’s really no need for dirty looks or scoffs.
Finally, I’m begging here, please use proper hygiene. You should be showering every day anyways. However, if you can’t, at least use something to help mask the smell. Deodorant is the absolute bare minimum and you should be wearing it everyday either way.
Overall, please be aware of surroundings in the hallways. It’s busy and cramped, but we have to work with what we got. We’ve been in school for so long now that we should know how to walk in the halls.
Do Not Wear List
There are costumes I get tired of seeing every year, while others are so creative people wish they thought of
With an individual costume you’d think it would be easy to be creative and think of something funny,
cool, or wild, but people continue to do the same thing over and over again. Inflatable anything is very 2020 to 2021 and some are funny but most are just old and overdone. Provocative Disney characters, Ghost Face, a t-shirt that says “this is my Halloween costume,” a cat, Spider-man, anything with the word “sexy” in front of it, and Eleven and Eddie from “Stranger Things.” These costumes are boring, repetitive, and overrated.
I know I’m not the only one who thinks the angel and devil costume, Daphne and Velma from Scooby Doo, Cher and Di from Clueless, and Lilo and Stitch have also been overdone. I see these costumes every year and I am sick of them. The costumes are either very provocative or they were all bought at the same store resulting in everyone wearing the same costume. For the guys, the super Mario brothers, superheroes, and anything that involves taking your shirt off and calling it “hot” has been done too many times.
I know as well as anybody else that it is hard to come up with a couples costume for you and your partner. When he wants this but she wants that, it’s hard not to return to basics. However, I have to say the Joker and Harley Quinn, Cruella and a Dalmatian, Jack and Sally, Jessie and Woody, as well as Chucky and Tiffany are almost too basic. I think that the Joker and Harley Quinn costume is the most common one I see on Halloween. It was really popular from 2016 to 2018 when “Suicide Squad” was released. Everyone thought it was an “edgy costume,” so it became a popular choice. Then, everywhere you
Oz characters are some of the most popular ones that I see on Halloween. At this point, they are just completely unoriginal and have no thought or effort behind them.
If I have knocked out all of your ideas for a costume this year, it’s probably for the best. If you’re looking for some good ideas, I have some creative and unique ones for you and your friends. Alice in Wonderland
These are some prime examples of costumes I better not see you wearing this Halloween.
and couple costumes are Barbie and Raquelle, Danny and Sandy from Grease, Wendy and Tinker Bell, and the couple from Dirty Dancing. Lastly, some costumes for individuals I want to see are Kill Bill, Ke$ha, Britney Spears, Jessica Rabbit, Madonna, and Katy Perry. You can get really creative with these costumes especially when copying celebrities’ most iconic outfits.
Lunch Ladder
Ratings of all the daily lunch options from a professional school lunch eater.
BY BRAXTON LIEBERT
Ever since I was writing down “lunch” as my favorite subject on those first day of school get-to-know you papers, I’ve been the student that goes through the lunch line every day. The school lunches catch a lot of flack, both from those who eat them and those who don’t. I’ve been
eating the school lunch since my freshman year and I’ve seen all that the cafeteria has to offer. I’m here to set the record straight and give a rundown of what to look for, and what to avoid while going through the lunch line.
Over on the left side of the cafeteria are the grill items. Both spicy and regular chicken sandwiches, along with cheeseburgers are served. Both of them have a problem of not looking too appealing at first glance. Both meals look dry and all around subpar. With that being said, you could imagine my surprise when I tried the spicy chicken sandwich only to greatly enjoy it. The spicy flavor of the breading combined with the mayo and pickles that added onto it made for a great combination and a satisfying meal.
OVERALL RATING : 7/10
The centerpiece of the cafeteria is the pizza buffet. Cheese and pepperoni pizza are always up to grab, in addition to a specialty pizza that changes depending on the day. If fresh, the pizza is most definitely a good option, especially with a bit of parmesan cheese on top and the fries to go with. Unfortunately the pizza has a problem of going dry and cold quickly, so If you want to enjoy your slice, make sure you get it fresh. This time I got the sausage and pepperoni specialty pizza, and I would most definitely get it again if I was feeling like switching it up that day.
OVERALL RATING : 6.5/10
A more recent addition to our lunch options is the sandwich bar. With many options of cheese and lunch meats to choose from, it’s very customizable. After picking up my sandwich, I always make my way over to the veggie bar and add pickles, lettuce, and onion. Finishing off with some mayo and mustard makes for a flavorful combination that has been my go to lunch ever since it was available.
OVERALL RATING : 8.5/10
The cheeseburger, on the other hand, did not exceed expectations. Even with mayo and ketchup, the burger was dry and the cheese was hardly recognizable. Considering I work at a restaurant that specializes in fresh burgers, this is simply disappointing.
OVERALL RATING : 3.5/10
When it comes to sheer quantity of food, the nacho bar has everything else beat. Not only can you get meat, cheese, and chips, but also a huge scoop of rice and beans. If I’m starving to the point where taste becomes a secondary consideration, this is usually my choice. On top of all that, they don’t taste half bad either. Finishing it off with a bit of sour cream and taco sauce makes for a well rounded meal.
OVERALL RATING : 7/10
Up last is the salad bar. Both a healthy and filling option, lettuce and spinach are available for the base of your dish. Additionally, you can add other veggies, cheeses, protein options, and croutons. There are plenty of sauces and dressings to drizzle over your salad to finish it off. I’d rate the salad bar higher if it didn’t have the problem of running out of all its options too quickly. If you arrive late, good luck getting any croutons, spinach, or even any good lettuce at that. The salad bar is also usually closed near the end of the school year which also doesn’t help its ranking.
OVERALL RATING : 3.5/10
Going out trick or treating used to be a scary and fun experience. Now, it feels like the streets are haunted with the ghosts of what Halloween used to be.
The Death of Trick or Treating
The only thing scary on Halloween nowadays is how empty the streets are, but why is that?
BY ERIN HARDY
On Halloween night, the streets are filled with joy. They’re full of teenagers reliving their childhood, kids laughing and
running around, scary lawn decor, and cool costumes. At least, that’s what Halloween used to be.
Now, Halloween feels empty. The streets aren’t full anymore and there’s barely anyone outside. I don’t feel that same festive feeling I used to get as a kid. Sure, as you grow older, you also grow out of that childlike wonder, but that doesn’t mean that Halloween needs to lose its spirit.
Last year, I went trick or treating with my friends and their younger siblings. We had to travel to two or three different neighborhoods in one night just to get a couple handfuls of candy.
Even just six or seven years ago, my family and I had to drive to multiple neighborhoods to get a good trick or treating spot. In those neighborhoods, there would only be a couple of houses bothering to serve candy.
Some can chalk it up to our age, while others think it’s just the times changing. I
believe it’s a bit of both.
It seems like kids aren’t allowed to enjoy childlike things anymore because they are currently growing up with social media. Being exposed to so much at a young age can throw away all of that youthful joy and festivities.
I think social media is a big reason why we don’t see a lot of trick or treaters anymore. That’s because it makes kids and people more inclined to stay inside. I also believe social media has deemed Halloween to be too childish by shaming teenagers and even children into believing that trick or treating is too boring and cringy to participate in. It doesn’t allow teenagers to have fun and puts a strain on kids to grow out of it quickly.
I believe social media needs to stop putting so much pressure on kids to give up childhood activities. We need to let kids be themselves and allow everyone to enjoy Halloween.
However, many people, including myself, believe an event called trunk or treating is also to blame.
It’s an activity where a bunch of cars can go into a small, empty parking lot,
typically hosted around or by schools and churches. People place candy and Halloween goodies in their open trunks for kids to go around and visit.
It used to be a fun volunteering event or a place where parents could have a cheap, quick, stress-free night with their kids. However, I think this has bred a lot of lazy parents and killed the Halloween spirit.
This event can end that special spooky night in two seconds. The fun of trick or treating is to walk around and go from house to house, seeing the scary decorations and other kids.
Overall, I just believe that Halloween needs more life to it. Social media needs to let people enjoy what they want to, and we need to bring back traditional forms of trick or treating.
Nobody truly knows the cause for this spirit decline, since it has multiple factors. It’s disappointing that this fun spooky season has begun fading for trick or treaters. It’s a shame that new generations will never get to experience what Halloween is truly about.
SPORTS
Athletes can rest easy with new opportunities to earn money from sports.
Skills to Pay the Bills
Money is one of the main components in college recruitment; here is what athletes should know about NIL.
In June of 2021, the tectonic plates of the athletic world began to make a shift.
High school and college athletes are no longer banned from profiting off of signing jerseys and sponsoring shoe deals. Now, athletes can earn money for themselves and use it however they wish.
This begs the question: what exactly are these life-changing deals and how can student-athletes use these new rules to their benefit? Name, image, and likeness deals (NIL) are sponsorship deals that allow a player of any sport to sponsor a product using their name without their university taking all of the profit.
Previously, players were subject to sitting at tables and taking time out of their busy schedules to sign autographs, jerseys, and other fanmail just to make no profit for their troubles.
These restrictions were the hill the
National College Athletic Association (NCAA) had died on for years until finally changing its policies in the summer of 2021.
“This is an important day for college athletes since they all are now able to take advantage of name, image and likeness opportunities,” NCAA President Mark Emmert announced in 2021.
According to the NCAA handbook, the change removed restrictions on students using their NIL to sign deals or for schools to help facilitate a deal with another party using a player’s NIL. These new guidelines could allow schools to persuade athletes to join their teams through a third-party NIL deal.
Some businesses even let players advertise products by allowing them to have some of their products such as shoes, water bottles, or even cars. These new changes can add another factor to recruiting an athlete for
BY BRYCE RUDER
colleges or for athletes trying to decide where they want to go.
College programs are also now allowed to keep more players with the NCAA announcing that it is increasing scholarship limits across all sports. This opens the door for more athletes to earn NIL money while giving underdeveloped and less-represented athletes more opportunities.
It’s not just the collegiate level either. In the Summer of 2023, the Missouri Sports High School Athletic Association (MSHSAA) approved the use of NIL benefits for high school athletes as well.
According to our school athletic director Scott Phillips, students with the ability to earn NIL money are encouraged to do so as long as they meet the requirements in the MSHSAA handbook.
This is huge for high school athletes, especially considering the amount of change going on in the college ranks. However, Phillips claims that violating MSHSAA requirements can lead to severe punishments such as voiding years of eligibility for the sport or losing the money athletes worked so hard to make.
So what exactly must studentathletes do to follow the guidelines and make these deals? According to Ozark Sports Zone, high school athletes are allowed to use themselves and their image and likeness in any deal; however, athletes cannot wear anything that showcases their high school or bring any attention to the school sport they participate in.
As we get further away from the NCAA’s initial decision, we can expect to see other changes and an increase in freedom. The fight for fair compensation for athlete branding is finally over.
A SMiles and Memories
t the 2022 Conference meet for cross country, senior Kolin Keltner crossed the finish line fastest, making it
the finish line the fastest, making it the first win of his life.
“That was an incredible feeling. It felt like you finished with more left [in you] because everyone was yelling your name,” Keltner said.
When Keltner was in seventh grade at Cherokee Middle School, he got his first taste of what it would be like to be a runner. It was a one-mile run where Keltner got so tired that he had to slow down and walk multiple times. However, he never stopped practicing, and come one year later, he realized he had a passion for running.
“I started to run on my own, not just with the team, and I realized that if I took my time with it and built into it, I could enjoy running,” Keltner said.
When Keltner started high school, he joined the cross country team in the fall, and later track in the spring. The team has two practices a day: one in the morning before school and one in the afternoon.
“I wake up around 5:40 and then go to my first practice of the day. I get through school, and then I go to my second practice of the day,” Keltner said.
The morning practice is a less intense workout with either a short run or lifting weights. The second practice is where the team chooses among a variety of different route options all around Springfield, and they run six to ten miles. With how much he runs, Keltner has been fortunate to never have any major injuries that have taken him out of running.
“I’ve only ever had pretty minor injuries. I had plantar fasciitis [where a tissue in the bottom of the foot gets inflamed] for a bit, which took me about a week [to recover from], but I’ve never had a severe injury like a
stress fracture,” Keltner said.
Over the years, Keltner has added up miles and memories both at meets and in practices. Following his win at Conference in 2022, Keltner and other members of the team qualified for the state track meet in both the spring of 2023 and the spring of 2024. At the end of the 2023-2024 school year, the team wasn’t expecting to qualify to race at the state meet. However, the runners on for the boy’s 4x8 relay team received the news that they would be traveling to Jefferson City and racing against some of the best
schools in Missouri.
“The older generation of varsity guys graduated and we still managed to qualify in our 4x8 for state. Nobody really thought we could, and we still managed to run a fast time without any of our returning varsity,” Keltner said.
After the 2023-2024 school year ended, Keltner and other members of the team continued to train during the summer. Keltner is now a senior and is involved in Spanish Club, Spanish Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, and Technology Student Association. He
Senior Kolin Keltner shares his experiences and accomplishments running over the years.
is also the vice president for Health Occupations Students of America.
Keltner hopes to end his last cross country season on a high note.
“My goals are to qualify for cross country state as a team and qualify individually, and also to run sub 16:20 in a 5K,” Keltner said.
Teammates are a large part of what makes a sport enjoyable, and running is no different. For Keltner, he takes inspiration from his friend Henry Barker, and his older brother Kyle, who graduated in 2023.
“They’re both just people who I
know will always show up to a run, so if they’re going to be there, then I have to show up. They make sure I’m never lazy,” Keltner said.
Keltner’s favorite part of being a member of the team are his friends that he has made during practices, meets, and classes.
“They’ve become my closest friends over the years. Spending two practices a day and being in class with them all, you just get really close,” Keltner said.
Keltner’s closest friends are the other juniors and seniors on the team. Barker is one of the teammates who
BY MADELINE SWENSON
helps keep Keltner accountable and helps him achieve his goals.
“We have been running together for a very long time so we both encourage each other and like to see the other succeed,” Barker said.
Keltner’s coach, Jeremy Goddard, also notices Keltner’s dedication to running.
“Kolin runs every day, all year round. Most of the time twice a day,” Goddard said.
Keltner has also seen how running everyday for long periods of time pays off.
“Every few months you realize that you are in a lot better shape,” Keltner said.
With Keltner’s high school career coming to a close in a few months, he has been thinking about what he wants to do after high school.
He hopes to become a pre-med student in college and wants to pursue a career in the medical field. Keltner wants to keep up with running as well, either competitively with a team or on his own.
“Wherever I end up going, I plan to ask the coach if I’m able to walk on or get a scholarship for running there. If I am, then I will continue running, and if not, then I will continue running on my own,” Keltner said.
No matter where Keltner ends up after his high school career, he is grateful for the experiences and the opportunities running has given him.
“Running to me is an escape from any stress or issue in life. Once you go on a run, you are only thinking about running, and your mind doesn’t allow you to stress. It is also a community that allows you to open up and get close to the people around you,” Keltner said.
Senior Kolin Keltner before his first race of the season in September. Photo courtesy of Isaac Swenson.
STwo Brothers, Two Sports
Motivation is the key to playing well. For the Roth brothers, it’s easy for them to understand that idea.
BY BROOKLYN COLLINS
Fighting with a brother or sister is something all siblings can relate to at least once in their life. Playing a sport with a
sibling isn’t as common as one may think, and most people will never relate to it.
Senior George Roth and sophomore Connor Roth are in multiple sports together including football and bowling.
“I think it’s easier to have a brother in the same sport because he helps give me motivation and energy to get through the day and be the best I can,” George said.
Support from family is a huge importance in everyday life, and especially in sports.
Connor later went on to talk about how his brother inspires him and pushes him to do better. Not only are there competitions, but there are also chances for the relationship to strengthen.
“My first thought of playing with my sibling was that it would be fun to play with him,” Connor said.
Compared to Connor, George felt the opposite.
“My first thoughts of him playing was that it was a little stressful, but now it feels normal. It would feel weird if he wasn’t playing the sport,” George said.
“Sometimes we practice together, but the other times I’m on defense and he’s on offense,” Connor said.
Even though they are not on the same side when playing football, Connor and George are still motivated by each other and strive for their best. Motivation can move a long way. In the last play of a game, the team needs motivation to get the winning touchdown.
In terms of bowling, everyone is
working as a team and George and Connor are able to have a better connection within the sport.
Lining up to bowl, the Roth brothers motivate each other to get the strike.
“We train together to help motivate each other and improve each other’s skills,” George said.
With time and effort their skills improve dramatically. At the end of last school year, George bowled a perfect 300 point game.
“I was excited for him and gave him praise for it since it was unexpected,” Connor said.
“I think he’s proud with how far he’s came,” George Roth said.
Balancing Bases
A young athlete’s journey through club and school softball.
BY NYAH WARREN
Anyone who plays a sport understands the true dedication that it takes,
but junior Kaitlyn Finley understands that struggle on another level.
“School softball is an every day activity. It is a shorter season only lasting around two to three months, while club/travel is around five months with less frequent practices throughout the week,” Finley said.
Although the school softball season is shorter than the club season, it takes up almost all of Finley’s time.
“I balance time between my club and school team by playing them in different seasons. My school team plays in the fall and my travel team is more of a summer/spring league, leaving me time to play both,” Finley said.
Both teams taking place in different seasons allows for more flexibility in her schedule, yet Finley is still experiencing back to back softball which can make managing a social life hard.
“I manage my time by trying to figure out a schedule that works for all aspects in my life. I try to finish
most of my work in class so after my practice I can still make time for my friends and family,” Finley said.
The constant cycle of grinding on school work as well as softball can eventually become physically and mentally exhausting.
“I have considered taking a break from softball because I felt like it was taking up a lot of my time and I was not getting enough time to attend activities with my friends, but after realizing the amount of friendships and help I get from softball pushed me to keep going, I decided that was not a step I was willing to take.” Finley said.
After doing something for so long, anyone would experience burn out or even feel like quitting, but Finley has always had something to keep her motivated.
“What motivates me to keep playing travel and school ball is the future. I want to be able to get into a good college by playing softball. School and travel ball both give me good feedback and help me get enough reps to continue improving my skills,” Finley said.
Having a future to look forward to and work for is something very valuable to Finley. Although she does have those goals, the mental debilitation from being so immersed still shows.
“The main problems I face are internal problems; I can get in my head or blame myself for a mistake. I have to remind myself that all the work I am putting in will be worth it and to not give up,” Finley said.
Being so active in softball can quickly drain Finley, but something that helps her is taking a day to herself to help relax and reflect.
Luckily, Finley has an amazing support system to help her when she’s in need, as well as a mother who played the same sport.
“All my coaches are very supportive and help us in all ways possible. They all push me to become the best player I can be. They feed me advice that I can take to improve my skills. My mom grew up playing softball and loved it so she got me started as soon as possible,” Finley said.
Many student athletes can relate to the position Finley is in and appreciate their coaches greatly even when they feel pushed to do more.
“I would recommend playing school and club ball. They are both completely different but give very different experiences and lots of fun friendships. Advice I would give to other student athletes is to not give up and to keep pushing themselves to get better and the work will show,” Finley said.
Although the idea can seem overwhelming, Finley believes that the experience is incredibly rewarding.
Friday Night Lights S
With the lights shining and the crowds cheering, here are some moments captured from Kickapoo’s historic victory against Webb City.
BY EVELYN NELSON & KESSA ADEE
The senior student section cheering for our players making sure to bring the hype to the stands.
Leah Henry (11)
SCollege conference changes have recently been big news and it’s starting to affect high school conferences as well.
New Year, New Opponents
A look at fall sports after the shocking move to join the Central Ozark Conference.
BY BRYCE RUDER
After being a part of the Ozark Conference (OC) for nearly 64 years, we will represent a new conference during the
2024 to 2025 school year.
Several teams left for the newly formed Ozark Mountain Conference; Kickapoo and Glendale were formally invited to join the Central Ozark Conference (COC). Athletic Director Scott Phillips claims that with all the movement going on in the area, it was time for a change.
“It was a chain of events that led to it. There were members from our conference that had left, then the COC also lost some teams as well, so that helped open the door for a
potential merger,” Phillips said.
The Chiefs have joined a conference including six previous members, such as neighboring city rivals Nixa, Republic, Ozark, Joplin, Webb City, Carthage, and Neosho.
Here is the list of fall sports and how this change will affect their seasons:
Football: The team performed well in their last year in the OC, finishing with an eight-win regular season before falling to Joplin in the first round of the class 6 tournament. Even with the move adding tough state contenders, the team is prepared to make their presence known in the
COC.
“Moving affects our everyday practices and efforts. We have to be more locked in than ever and bring good intensity to prepare us for the competition,” receiver Andrew Bartels said.
Softball: Softball finished the season with an overall record of 26-8 and made it to the class 5 tournament before falling to Ozark. The team didn’t have many seniors last year, but that just means that the roster is similar to last year’s which is never a bad thing when you lose less than 10 games in a season. Adding more experience to the team will be
instrumental in the journey to make it to the state tournament. However, this will include adding more games against tougher opponents, but the team is prepared to run it back.
“The change brings in a lot of competition. There are some wellrounded teams in the COC, and we’ve played most of them in the past. This will help prepare us for districts. I think the COC is one of the best conferences in the area,” starting catcher Ellie Shevey said.
Boys Swim: The world of swimming is very different from the other sports on this list. The team hasn’t won a conference title since 2008 and most meets in the season include all teams in the area, not just the teams in the conference. Moving to the COC adds more schools to the conference meet and moves it from its normal home of Webb City to the Foster Natatorium here in Springfield. The team is just going to keep up the pace heading into the new conference.
“Moving allows us to compete in a larger meet setting than just the teams in Springfield. Previously we normally swam against teams in the city,” senior swimmer Dominic Bratcher said.
Volleyball: The Volleychiefs have been the definition of successful over the past couple of years. The team has been to the final four in the state tournament three out of the last four years. However, Head Coach Marci Adams says that volleyball will have 11 athletes to replace, including allstate talents Kya Johnson and Bella Faria. Adams has been very impressed by elevated junior varsity athletes and holdovers from last year’s roster. Even with new additions, the team has a strong veteran presence that should help them in their move to the COC.
Girls Tennis: The girl’s tennis team moves to the COC with lots of optimism. While the team as a whole didn’t make it far in districts, they had two players make it to state in doubles according to returning senior Brooke
Chaffin. Moving to the COC poses a new challenge in schools they will face more often. However, with returning state qualifiers Windsor Brotherton and Leah Laurin to build around, the team looks to keep up the success.
Girls Golf: The girls golf team is similar to the swim team in that moving doesn’t affect them much. What does affect them is the loss of State golfer Ellie Guthrie and other graduates. According to coach Justin Drane, the team will still have to contend with their rival Glendale and now lose spots on all-conference teams as well. Aside from that, the team looks to keep up the good work in the new conference chapter.
Cross Country: The cross country team had a great season last year, with the girls team being invited to state. The mission is simple for the girls: repeat last year’s success of making it to state. While the boys didn’t have the success they wanted last year, with a another year of experience
and development, the boys look to bounce back and get invited to join the girl’s at the state meet this season. However, moving to the COC will pose another challenge.
“Switching to the COC greatly increases our competition because we add rival teams such as Nixa,” runner Noah Cones said.
Boys Soccer: The boys team finished with a fifteen-win season. A record that doesn’t look too good on paper but looks very promising with how well the team played on the field. This team gave the district champ Ozark its best shot and were competitive in every game they lost before the season ended. This year’s team has some tougher opponents, especially in the conference slate, but just like last year, the team will get what they work for.
“Being in a better conference got rid of all our easier games, so now everything has to be earned. Nothing will be given to us,” soccer player Matt Liehr said.
Our football stadium is just one of multiple home arenas that will be hosting a new group of opponents this year.
SCoaching on the Greens
The inspirational path of dedicated golf coach Mr. Drane.
BY NYAH WARREN
The work a coach puts in to step their team up for success is often overlooked, but now we have an inside look on
what a coaches day looks like.
“I try to get to the course an hour early. Get rules, pairings and scorecards for the event. Pass out/give players information before their round begins,” Girls Golf coach Justin Drane said.
Drane’s work starts much earlier than the tournament. Not only does he arrive early, but during the tournament he makes sure players are staying hydrated and in good spirits while helping them navigate difficult shots and rulings. Drane sets his players up for success even when he can’t be there to help them by preparing them with course notes.
“I give players ‘course notes’ prior to their round. I spend quite a bit of time trying to figure out where problems might come up during the round to make sure I am stationed near there when my players come through. Golf is such a mental sport, I really try to get my players to engage with their round before it starts so they have already ‘played’ several holes before they ever tee off,” Drane said.
He works off the clock to put multiple hours into making sure the girls have something to refer to when he’s not there.
“I think a lot of stress is relieved with good preparation. Trusting that my girls have prepared the way we need leading up to the tournament. Golf is different from other sports in that our main competition is ourselves
and the course,” Drane said. With courses very rarely changing, it is easier for Drane to prepare the girls and focus on what they can control to hopefully relieve stress in the long run.
“Districts are a particularly challenging day. A lot of emotions. Girls are ecstatic if they qualify for state. They are bummed out if they don’t. It’s a wide range of emotions to manage and match,” Drane said. Dranes’ heart aches for the girls that are disappointed, but also wants to celebrate the accomplishments of those that played well. This can make the situation much harder for everyone.
Keeping the girls focused on things they can control and enjoying their time even when things go wrong is
Coach Drane pointing junior Evelyn Journagan in the right direction.
Coach Drane helping freshman Annaston Angus.
one of Drane’s most important tasks on a game day.
“Since our competitions are so long (5-6 hours), I think keeping your players in good spirits is so important. There are several things in golf that players can’t control.” Drane said.
“I think as a coach, building relationships is the key to establishing a positive culture. Your players have to know that you care about them on a personal level and have their best interests at heart. Once they know that you care for them and are honest with them, the sky’s the limit,” Drane said.
At the end of the day, being a coach is much more than teaching your team how to play a sport. Coaches go above and beyond to ensure their team feels loved, encouraged, and ready to succeed.
Coach Drane discussing junior Llewellyn Hudson’s shot.
Coach Drane directing junior Olivia Littlejohn’s swing.
SBefore the Game Starts
BY EVELYN NELSON
Pearcy joined Golden Girls her freshman year. Photo courtesy of Joe Combs
Emma Pearcy, 11th grade, Golden Girls
Q: Do you have any good luck rituals or traditions before competing?
A: “Before any halftime routine or performance, we stand in a circle holding each other’s hands and pray. This has been an ongoing tradition for the golden girls. I think it is so important for us to have a moment before we perform because it brings us closer together. It’s also a time to look back on how far we have come throughout the season. For me, my motivation for doing well and my passion for dance always becomes so real at that moment. When everyone feels that way, that’s when we succeed as a team,” Pearcy said.
and her doubles partner,
Natalie Coons, 11th grade, Girls Tennis
Q: Do you have any good luck rituals or traditions before competing?
A: “I’m always the one to spin it. In tennis you spin the racket before the game, so you can find out who gets to serve first and what side of the court you play on. I’m always the one to spin it no matter who we play and that is our good-luck for me and my doubles partner. I feel like we always get what we want when I spin it,” Coons said.
Coons
junior Zia Mizell. Photo courtesy of Kaylin Barnes
Are you interested in working on magazine staff? Take Journalism I to get started!
ABOUT KHQ
Volume 54 | Issue 1 | khqtoday.com | @kpoomag
CONTACT INFORMATION
(417)-523-8500
3710 S. Jefferson Ave. Springfield, MO, 65807 FONT FAMILIES
Avenir, Bodoni 72, Iowan Old Style, Kannada MN, Shree Devanagari 714 PUBLISHING
Printlynx by Jostens TECH
All pages were created using Adobe InDesign 2024 on the Apple Mac Platform. COPIES
1,000 copies were printed and disseminated for free to the Kickapoo student body and the surrounding community
COVER PHOTO BY: NADIA WARREN
INSIDE/BACK COVER BY: KESSA ADEE
NEWS DIVIDER BY: BROOKLYN COLLINS
FEATURE DIVIDER BY: KESSA ADEE
OPINION DIVIDER BY: AUBREE SIMS
SPORTS DIVIDER BY: BRYCE RUDER
EDITORIAL POLICY
KHQ (Kickapoo High Quarterly) exists as a quarterly student publication produced by the Kickpaoo High School Journalism Department. It operates as an open forum with the intention of accurately and fairly reporting to all needs of readers. Staff members take responsibility for reporting honestly and without bias and for printing material that is not considered libelous or invasive. Advertisements that appear in KHQ do not necessarily reflect the viewpoints of Kickapoo High School administrations or Springfield Public Schools. KHQ does not support any one political party, candidate, or campaign.
Your voice deserves to be heard! If you have questions, comments, or concerns, message us at khqtoday@gmail.com. Send a letter to the editor for a chance to have your own opinion published in the next issue of KHQ.
